Houston Dynamo FC captured El Capitán for the first time since 2017 and extended their unbeaten streak to three matches with a 3-2 win over Texas Derby rival FC Dallas Saturday night at BBVA Stadium.
The Dynamo still have an uphill climb to get above the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs line in the Western Conference, but they appear to have turned a corner of late. FC Dallas, who are just above Houston at 11th place in the West, are winless in their last four matches, conceding 10 goals during that stretch.
Fafa Picault set up Griffin Dorsey's opening goal and then scored for the third time in three meetings this year against his former club to remain red-hot. Picault has a goal or an assist in all but one of his last eight matches, compiling eight goals and two assists in that stretch.
The winger beat Justin Che down the left wing before his cross, which took a slight deflection off Nkosi Tafari and found Dorsey, who crashed in at the back post for his second goal of the week to give Houston a 1-0 lead on five minutes.
In the 20th minute Picault made the back-post run for the sliding finish after Dorsey, who continued his run after playing a combination with Darwin Quintero, slipped a pass across the six-yard box.
Dynamo head coach Tab Ramos was forced to make his first substitution in the 35th minute with Sam Junqua replacing Adam Lundqvist, who left in considerable pain, holding his left knee while being carted off in a wheelchair.
A minute later, FC Dallas had their best chance to cut their deficit in half, but Michael Nelson did well to dive to his left and parry away Brandon Servania's swerving shot from distance following a corner kick.
Quintero sealed the win just before the hour mark, converting from the penalty spot after Bryan Acosta tripped Tim Parker in the box and raced into the stands to celebrate with his family.
Jader Obrian struck for his second brace of the week, pulling the visitors to within a goal in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. But the three points, and the replica howitzer cannon awarded to the series’ winner each year, went to Houston.
Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: Houston have eight matches remaining and are still in 12th place in the West. Too little, too late for a playoff push? That remains to be seen, but the Dynamo have found their scoring boots, dropping three goals on a Texas rival for the second time in three matches. Conversely, FC Dallas are leaking goals at an alarming rate, conceding three in a match for the fourth time in the last five matches. Are their playoff hopes slipping away?
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Picault’s goal, his 10th this year, which matched his career-high for a season, got the Dynamo off to a flying start and stood as the winner.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Picault set the tone against his former club with a goal and an assist in the opening 20 minutes.
Next Up
- HOU: Saturday, September 25 at Minnesota United FC | 8 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+) | MLS regular season
- DAL: Saturday, September 25 at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+) | MLS regular season
